I got comrades all right – and it sure feels good to be up there blowin’ with my comrades – my friends – blowin’ along with me. I love playing all by myself. to be sure’. It’s more …intimate, maybe*; more personal. But playing with a good band has always been my favorite way to do music. The interaction, the power – pure joy to me! The people I have with me now – Michael Velasquez, Max Ray, Jimmy Kugl, Scott Snyder, Larry Sims, Johnny Iden,  Matt Senjem , and sometimes Barb Brynstad – are, all together, a wonderful unit, and all great soloists! For me, nothin’ but fun. – A lot of smiles on stage when we’re playin’!   And a lot of grinning will be going on this Saturday, December 2nd  at our favorite spot, Crooner’s [Lounge and Supper Club !] The vibe is right at Crooner’s, y’ know – probably ’cause the place is so dang comfortable! The folks who come out to Crooner’s are a warm, friendly bunch”;  they really make the music happen for us!  Crooner’s is the nicest thing to happen for twin cities music in quite a while – come and join us; let’s celebrate life!

And let’s not forget that other great time, Blue Monday at the Richfield American Legion – We definitely groove these Mondays away the right way – in blissful relaxation. Lots of very good players and singers come by, lots of dancing, a great way to ease into the week!

Saturday, December 2: Willie and the Angel Heads at Crooner’s, 6161 Hiway 65 [Çentral Av. 3 blocks north of 694].   Music starts at 8 pm

Monday, December 4: The ol’ Berloo Monday Jammster at the Richfield American Legion, 6501 Portland Av. S.  –  around 7 pm. Bring yer kazoo and jam with us!

BOOKFACE

I mentioned re-reading all the Chester Himes detective novels – I finally got ahold of the one I hadn’t read, the final book Himes wrote, called Plan B.  this is his planned final book featuring “Coffin Ed” Johnson and “Grave Digger ” Jones. Quite different from the others, it’s kind of serious. There’s still Himes’ fabulous action and pacing. but the plot and tone of the book don’t have the playfulness that the others have. Tho there’s still quite a bit of humor; I’d call it, perhaps, black humor. Highly recommended.

The Red Haired Woman – Orhan Pamuk –  Pamuk’s latest is, once again, quite brilliant, but I think I liked A Strangeness in My Mind more

Warrior Nation – a History of Red Lake – Anton Treuer – The great Native American [and native Minnesotan] historian does it again. He writes about things we should all know. The history is often sad, of course, but ultimately, you’ll feel better for having read it, and, you’ll know a lot more afterwards’

City of Nets – Otto Friedrich – A history of Hollywood in the forties, This is some of the most fun I’ve had in a long time. But it’s also a serious book, covering in detail things like the beginnings of HUAC, the plight of all the Europeans [many of them quite famous] seeking refuge from Hitler, the effect of the emergence of TV, etc.  –  YAYA!

DETECTIVES: I’ve just discovered Denise Mina, a very good Scottish crime writer. Very intelligent, She’s just more than a little different from the rest, as any good writer should be. She’s not in my pantheon yet, but close.

Aw Rite! Love Life!   – Willie

* Solo gig at the Schooner on Dec. 27th